The brachialis, a robust muscle in the upper arm, lies underneath the biceps brachii, contributing to elbow movement and forearm strength.

Origin:
Arising from the front of the distal humerus, the brachialis has its attachment points along the humeral shaft.

Insertion:
The muscle inserts into the coronoid process of the ulna, allowing it to exert its force on the ulna during forearm movements.

Function:
The primary function of the brachialis is elbow flexion, powering the movement of bringing the forearm toward the upper arm. This muscle is particularly active in movements like lifting or pulling, providing stability to the elbow joint and supporting various activities that involve controlled bending of the arm.

The brachialis is a primary elbow flexor located beneath the biceps brachii. It plays a key role in elbow flexion regardless of forearm position and contributes significantly to arm strength.

Primary Isolation Exercises
Biceps Curl with a Barbell
Biceps Curl on a Machine

Supporting Movements
Chin-Up
Pull-up

How to Emphasize the Brachialis
Focus on strict elbow flexion without excessive shoulder movement
Maintain a controlled range of motion throughout the exercise
Avoid using momentum or swinging the weight
Control both the lifting and lowering phases to maintain tension

Explore Exercise Technique and Execution
Each exercise listed above includes a full breakdown of proper form, muscle involvement, biomechanics, and safety considerations. Select an exercise to learn how to train the arm muscles effectively.